8-Year-Old Shaikh Saif Bin Hassan Takes Podium at IAME UAE Championship

Bahrain’s rising motorsport star, Shaikh Saif bin Hassan Al Khalifa, secured a podium finish, taking third place at the opening round of the IAME UAE Championship in Ras Al Khaimah.

At just eight years old, Shaikh Saif displayed remarkable skill and determination, competing fiercely against more than 30 of the region’s and Europe’s top karting talents. His outstanding performance not only earned him a prestigious spot on the podium but also highlighted Bahrain’s growing presence in regional motorsport.

Shaikh Saif competes in the Mini/Micro category and will also take part in the Rotax Championship, kicking off next week in Al Ain.

Reflecting on his podium debut, Shaikh Saif said:
"Stepping onto the podium at the season opener is a great start. I trained hard with my team, Xcel Motorsport, and we will continue to push for more victories as we head into next week’s races."

Xcel Motorsport, one of the region’s most successful racing teams, supports Shaikh Saif in his karting journey. The team competes across categories from Mini Max karting all the way to Formula 4 Middle East and the European Formula 4 Championship.

With this strong start, Shaikh Saif has firmly established himself as one of the most promising young karting talents in the region.